The Bowlus Rivet is a Blend of Retro Design and High-Tech Features
If you happen to spot a Bowlus travel trailer on the road or at the campground, you would be forgiven for mistaking it for another famous RV brand. The company’s design language resembles classic aluminum towables from the past but with modern elements that give them an identity all their own. This is especially notable in the most recent addition to the brand’s catalog—a lightweight, high-tech model appropriately named the Rivet.
Photo Credit: Bowlus
Lightweight yet rugged, the Rivet is built for off-road and off-grid camping. The trailer weighs just 3,500 pounds, allowing it to be towed by a wide variety of vehicles. Add in a 3″ lift kit, all-terrain tires, and reinforced suspension, and you get an RV purpose-built for boondocking. An 8,000Wh battery pack, 660W solar panels, and a 3,000W inverter are just icing on the cake.
Inside, the Rivet is a showcase for modern design and functionality. The interior features a clean, minimalist aesthetic that somehow looks timeless and modern at the same time. A spacious sleeping space located at the rear offers room for 2+ passengers and includes integrated LED reading lights and a nightstand. Nearby, a living room area is outfitted with armchairs and a couch that convert into further sleeping berths, expanding the trailer’s capacity to four adults.
Photo Credit: Bowlus
The Rivet’s onboard bathroom sits behind integrated privacy doors. It includes a shower with a marine-style showerhead, a stainless steel sink, and a cassette toilet system. Water is provided via a 19-gallon freshwater tank, which flows into a 21-gallon gray water receptacle.
The galley kitchen is also nicely equipped and includes composite countertops with plenty of space for meal prep. The trailer comes with a two-burner induction cooktop, a 12V refrigerator/freezer, a microwave, and a sink with a high-rise faucet. Three large aluminum cupboards provide ample storage space for dry goods and cooking accessories.
Photo Credit: Bowlus
Other notable features include a silent hydronic heating system, integrated freshwater heating, and LED lighting throughout. The Rivet is cooled by a vented air conditioning unit and warmed by a 25,000 BTU furnace. Large side windows provide a surprising amount of natural light, while four silent gravity ceiling vents offer excellent ventilation.
One of the Rivet’s signature features is what Bowlus calls the AeroMove system. This optional upgrade turns the trailer into a self-propelled, self-powered vehicle that turns 360º and can be remotely parked in campsites, driveways, and even parallel parking spaces. The system is the first of its kind for a production trailer and reportedly even works on steep slopes.
Photo Credit: Bowlus
The Rivet has a starting price of $165,000, although tax credits can bring that price down to as low as $148,500. That easily makes this the most affordable Bowlus travel trailer yet. The company’s other models include the $285,000 Terra Firma and the Volterra, which costs $310,000. Those prices put them out of reach for most RV buyers, but the Rivet’s price tag is more approachable, especially considering everything it has to offer potential customers.
To learn more about this exciting new towable, visit the Bowlus website.
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